Sheet-feeding device.



C. W. & A. E. HOWELL.

SHEET FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 29. I9I2.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

INVENTORS; M WMM M 5M ATTORNE mwmm WITN ESSES: #(fiM C. W. 64 A. E. HOWELL. SHEET FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION mzn FEB. 29. 1912.

VENTORS: WW

0 ATTORNEK 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

WITNE'SES:

C. W. & A. E. HOWELL.

SHEET FEEDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 29. I912.

Patented Aug, 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- w mo .wgm m wurwm MM. W m

INVENTORS:

ATTORNEY CHARLES W. HOWELL AN'D ARTHUR E. HOWELL, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN- ORS T0 UNDERWOOD,TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE.

SHEET-FEEDING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug, 28', 1191118.

Application filed February 29, 1912. Serial No. 680,689.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES \V. HOWELL and ARTHUR E. HowELL, both citizens of the United States, and both residing in Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeding Devices of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sheet-feeding devices especially those intended for-use in connection with revolving mimeographsor duplicators, and is illustrated in connectlon with the well-known Underwood'revolving duplicator.

The principal object of the invention is to provide, at low cost, a simple, durable and reliable sheet-feeding mechanism.

A revolving separator withdraws the top sheet from a clip, and an oppositely revolving segment then engages the sheet to advance it to the stenciling machine. These revolving members may be covered with soft rubber, and connected by a single train of gearing to the stencil cylinder of the duplicating machine. Preferably, the table which supports the pile of sheets is pressed upwardly by means of springs. so that it rises as the pile diminishes. The revolving separator and feeder are preferably mounted upon a hinged frame, which may be swung up to clear the sheet pile. for convenience in manipulating the sheets. The pressure roll of the stencil machine is usually releas-- able. and there is connected to the roll-releasing mechanism a device whereby said hinged frame is raised, so that the feeders clear the sheet pile.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an Underwood revolving duplicator provided with the'present improvements, and showing the sheet separator in contact with the pile of sheets. Fig. 2 is a partial sectional side elevation, showing a sheet advanced by the sheet feeders and passing between the rolls of the stenciling machine. Fig. 2 shows the feeder released from the pile of sheets. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the combined feeding and stenciling mechanism. Fig. 4. is a view of the machine from the opposite side of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view to illustrate the means whereby the pressure roll of the stenciling machine is re- The usual stencil cylinder 1 is rotated by a handle 2 or otherwise, and has a gear 3 meshing with a driving gear 4 of.the sheetfeeding mechanism. Said driving gear 4 meshes with a gear 5, which is fixed upon a horizontal cross shaft 6; and upon this shaft are two paper-feeding segments 7, one at each side of the machine, to engage the sheets near their side edges. This feeder shaft revolves constantly in a single direc tion. The feeders 7 are in the form of segments having soft rubber facings 8 to contact with the paper-sheets. The segments move alternately into and out of engagement with the pile during their normal revolution, and are of sufficient dimensions to advance a sheet from the pile to the bite of the stencil cylinder 1 and the usual soft rubber roll 9.

The pile of sheets is carried upon a table 10,'which is pressed upwardly. At the forward edge of the pile thesheets are caught under a pair of fixed clips 12, which have sharpened edges for convenience in separating the sheets, andfor facilitating the advance thereover of the separated sheet. To separate the top sheet from the rest of the pile, and withdraw it from the clips 12, a pair of separators 13, 14, is utilized. These separators 13, 14, may be in the form of arms having soft rubber contacts orfriction devices 15, and are mounted, respectively, upon shafts 17, 16 at the sides of the machine; the segments 7 being preferably mounted between these separators, as shown. The separators, like the feeders, move alternately into and out of contact with the pile during their normal revolution.

The separator arms 13, 14 revolve constantly in the opposite direction from the segments 7; being connected by pinions 18 to pinions 19, the latter fixed upon the also be seen at Fig. 3, said sheet is immediately gripped by the soft rubber periphery 8 h of the segments, and advanced thereby along a shelf 21 to the bite of the stenciling rolls 1, 9. The sheet is never out of control, since the feeders grip the same at the instant or just before it is released by the separators A weight 22 rests upon the rear edge of the pile, and has a pivotal connection at 23 with a vertical slot in the gage 20, to permit it to rise and fall.

The machine runs smoothly and may be operated with rapidity,-since the requisite backward and forward movements of the sheet are effected by devices which revolve continuously and smoothly in unchanging directions; while, owing to the simplicity of the mechanism, the device may be cheaply manufactured, and is durable and not liable to get out of order.

The table 10, on which the pile rests, is supported by draw springs 241, connected to arms 25 upon levers or hell cranks 26, which are loosely mounted upon a horizontal rod 27, mounted in fixed ears 27 beneath the table at about the middle thereof. Two levers 26 extend forwardly and two rearwardly at each of the sides of the table, and each lever carries at its outer end a roll 28, to press 11p against the under side of the table; whereby the sheets are pressed lightly up against the clips 12.

The table 10 is guided independently at each of its sides by means of two pairs of levers 29, 30, the levers in each pair pivoted together midway of their ends, at 32; a single transverse floating shaft 31 prefera ly serving as a pivot for both pairs of lev s. Each lever is pivoted at one end at 33 to the frame work of the machine, and the other end has a pivot 31 working in a slot 35; these slots formed in brackets 36 fixed to the under side of the table at its forward and rear ends. Each lever 30 in co6perating with its adjacent lever 29, forms a parallel motion device for its side of the table, 2'. e., if one end of the table is depressed, the opposite end is likewise depressed, and vice versa. Each of the springs 21 has a turnbuckle 37, and by reason of the described construction of springs and guides, the table may be universally adjusted since'the upward pressure on either side thereof may be increased by turning the turnbuckles 37 on that side, independently of the pressure at the other side of the table, since one pair of levers 29, 30' is not operatively connected to the other pair, but permits elevation or depression of one side of the table independently of the other side thereof; and there, may be strengthening ,or weakening of the springs on either side without. in-" creasing or diminishing the pressure at the other slde of the table. Moreover either a rear spring or a forward spring may be independently adjusted, if required.

To place a pile of sheets on the table, the operator presses down thereon midway between its opposite sides, so that the whole table descends; and a hook 38 upon the rear end of the table may pass down through a hole 39 in latch plate 40, and be caught by a latch 11 pivoted on said plate. The separators and feeders may also be swung up on a pair of arms 12, which are pivoted concen trically to the gear 4, so that the gear 5 always remains in mesh therewith; and a gravity latch 43, Fig. 2, may hold the arms and feeders in elevated positions. Said latch normally hangs in a hole in the shelf or plate 21, as at Fig. 2, but is adapted to rest upon said plate when the feeder-frame is swung up. The arms 12 are rigidly connected by a tie rod 11, upon which the hollow gear-shaft 6 rotates; the arms and rod forming a frame. The pile is now laid upon the table with its forward edge beneath the clips 12, and the side gages 15 are adjusted, as well as the rear gage 20. The latch 11 is then released, and the springs 21 lift the table and pile up against the clips 12.

The gears 18 are provided each with a guard wheel 16 close thereto and of larger diameter, so that the sheets cannot at any time contact with said gears. One of the arms 12 of the swinging feeder frame is provided with an extension 17, to rest upon a stop 48 provided upon the framework of the machine, when the feeder-frame is dropped to working position. The parts are so timed that upon revolving the handle 2 of the stenciling machine, the separators 13, 11 will withdraw the leading edge of the top sheet of the pile, buckling said sheet, as at Fig. 3, and will relinquish the sheet when the feeders 7 engage it, whereupon the sheet is fed over the clips 12 and on to the stenciling machine; this operation being repeated for every revolution of the stenciling machine crank 2. The shaft 17 on which turns one of thegears 18, is connected by a yoke 19 to arm 17, the yoke giving clearance for the gear 5.

The soft rubber pressure roll 9 of the stenciling machine is releasable, to permit the cylinder to be rotated idly for convenience in inking, etc. For this purpose, the pressure roll 9 is mounted upon arms 50, which are connected by a cross-bar 51, the latter normally held up by a cam 52, which is fixed upon a rock shaft 53. Also fixed to said rock shaft is an arm 51, normally held down by a latch 55. Vhen said latch is released, the arm 51 swings up to the dotted-line position, Fig. 5, the cam 52 also turning to the dotted-line position, and bar 51 dropping, together with the roll 9. Upon the rock shaft 53 is an arm 56, which is connected by a link 57 to a lever 58, pivote'd at 59 upon the framework and having at its opposite end a pin (30 to take under one of the arms 42, to lift the feeders from the sheet pile when the stencil roll 9 is released, so that the stencilsaid advancing sheet; or at least the ing-cylinder 1 can be revolved without feeding any sheets. Each of the feeding segments 7 is provided with a-peripheral groove 61, Fig. 6, in which "the endless soft rubber, band 8 is seated; said band being stretched comes worn, a new surface can be brou ht into use. Moreover, the band may be ta en oil and turned insideout' and replaced with the fresh surface exposed. We have found that if an acid-cured rubber band is used, the fed sheets will not be soiled by the band.

As soon as the she'etadvancing from the pile is presented to the bite of the stencil rolls 1, 9, a separation is automatically effected between the feeding-segments 7 and ressure between the feeders and the sheet is re lieved, In the present instance, this relief is-eflected by means of a cam 6l fixed upon the revolving shaft 16 of the separator 14,- to engage a projection 61 fixed; on the framework, whereby the entire feeder frame 42,. 44, etc., is raised orsuppo'rted just'as the stencil rolls catch the sheet. The cam has a dead surface 61 concentric with shaft 16,

and of sufficient length to'hold up the feederframe until the longest sheet gets past the feeding-segment 7 This movement of the feeders is, of course, independent of their movement out of contact with the pile, which takes place during the normal revolution of the feeders due to their segmental shape.

- The band 15 on the separator is stretched over the hub of-the arm 14, and the latter has a serrated point or tip 62, 6, which .catches the rubber band, and prevents the latter from creeping longitudinally, This band may also be slipped around, to present new surfaces for wear; andv mayalso be turned inside out and placed back on the arm. The rubber band 15 is drawn tightly upon the serrations 62, so as to present to the pile (if sheets a, series ofspaced, rubber;cov-- ered, feeding fingers, or protuberances or relatively hard spots, as lndicated at; 62, Fig 6; this .eontrivan'ce being of material benefit in withdrawing thetop sheet from the clips, as the serrations or series of points render the. separator capable of handling a great variety of sheets, while the liability or withdrawing more. than one sheet at a time from the clip is minimized or eliminated.

It will be noted that as illustrated herein,

, said teeth form a row transverseto the dificiently to relieve the pressure between the separator 13, 14, is preferably slightly oversize; so that when these separators strike easily withdrawn therefrom. The springs- 24 may be so adjusted that the weight'of the till feeders and the feeder-frame 42, 44, will overbalance said springs24.

ing side plates 63, a rear cross bar 64, and a front cross bar 65, Fig. 3. At the forward end of each sideplate 63 is a hook 66, to

' catch under a pin 67 fixed in an ear 68 of the -main frame, Each side plate 63 also has a locking notch 69 to engage a pin 70 which also projects from the main frame. The feeder frame 42 may be swung up, and then the detachable portion or table frame-may be swungto release it from the pins 7 0 and also to become unhooked from the pins 67, whereupon the detachable portion may be withdrawn. Each side plate 63 is also provided with a rest orsupport 71, to restin a jog 72 in the base of'the stencil machine frame;said supports being pivoted ,to the sideplates 63 at 73., 1 Variations may be resorted to within the scope of our invention, and portions of the improvements may be used' without others.

' Having thus described our invention, we claim: 1

1. ln a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a feeder constantly revolving in one direction and moving, duringits normal revolution, alternately into and out of contact with the pile of sheets; a separator constantly revoluble in the opposite direction andefiective, when the feeder is out of contact'with thepile, to withdraw the top sheet and hold it until gripped by said feeder; and means for periodically raising said feeder normal revolving movement out of contact with said pile, to relieve the pressure bebodily above the pile, independently ofits 2. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combi-.

nation of a feeder constantly revolving in one direction andmoving, during its normal revolution, alternately ,into and out of contactwith the pile of sheets; aseparator constantly revoluble in the opposite direction .and edective, when the feeder is out of contact with the pile, to withdraw the top sheet and hold ituntilgripped by said feeder; a

movable frame whereon said feeder is mounted;'and means for periodically raising said frame bodily, to lift the feeder above the pile independently. of its normal revolving v vmovement out Q contact with said pile, to rection of "movement of the separator. Each] feeder; and means. for

* one direction and moving,

5 stantly revoluble 1n the-oppos te direct on gripped thereby.

in'gsaid feeder and s d separator bodily above the pile at definite periods, independrevolving movement ently of their-normal out of contact with said pile, to relieve the pressure between. said 4. In a sheet-feeding machine,-the combination of a; feeder constantly revolving in during its normal revolution, alternately into and outof contactwith the pile of sheets; a Separator conand effective, when the feeder is out of contact with the pile, to withdraw the top sheet and hold it until gripped by said feeder; a

movable frame whereon said feeder is mounted; and a cam device mociated with said frame for raising it bodily at definite periods, to lift the feederv above the pi leindependently of its normal revolving movement out of contact with said pile, to re lieve the pressure between said feeder and p the sheet gripped thereby.

5. In a-sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a feeder segment revolving in one direction and moving, during .its normal revolution, alternately into and out of contact with the pile of sheets;

} 'a' separator, in the form of a contact device,

' the opposite direction and likewise moving,

during its normal revolution,

intoand out of contact'with the pile; and

means for periodically bodily above the pile," independently of its r tact with the normal revolving movement out of contact- With said pile, torelieve the pressure between the said feeder an the sheet gripped thereby.

6. In a sheet-feeding machine; the comsegment revolving in one direction and moving, during its normal revolution, alternately into and out of con-' pile ofsheets; a separator, in the form of a contact device, revolving in the opposite direction and likewise moving,

during its normal revolution, alternately into and out of contact with the pile; a

hinged frame whereon said feeder is mounted; and means for periodically raising said frame bodily, to lift said feeder above the pile,-independently of its normal revolving movement out ofcontact with said pile, to relieve the pressure between the feeder and the sheet gripped thereby. 7. A rotary paper-feeding member comprising ,a frame or support having deep teeth-at the-point where it seizes the sheet; of elastic, friction material and a strip stretched tightly around said frame and pa$ing over said teeth, whereby said strip will be forced outward by the teeth, to pre-,

simultaneously raisfeeder and the sheet revolving -inalternately said feeder bination witha shaft on which to engage the sent to the sheet a series of spaced and covered sheet-engaging protuberances, or

fingers, said strip being shiftable longitudi-- shaft to cause the separators to revolve in the opposite direction. fro

In said segments to engage the pile alternately with said 30 segments and hold a sheet till gripped by said segments, and a hinged frame upon which said segments and separators are mounted to be swung off from the pile."

.9. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a pair of clips for the leading edge of the pile, of a pair of segments, a shaft .on which. said segments are fixed means for revolving said shaft, a pair of separators, each 1n the form of a contact device, gearing from said separators to said shaft to cause the separators to revolve in the opposite direction from said segments to engage the pile alternately .with said segments and hold a sheet till gripped by said segments-a gear. upon said shaft, a driving gear 'meshing with said gear, and a frame said frame hinged concentrically with said driving gear.

10. In a sheet-feeding machine, the compair of clips for the leading edge of the pile, of a pair of segments, a said segments are fixed,

means for revolving said shaft, a pair of separators, each in the form of a contact device, gearing from said separators to said shaftto cause the separators to revolve in the opposite direction from said segments pile alternately with said segments,"a,hinged frame upon which said segments and separatorsv are mounted to be swung ofl from the pile, and means to latch said frame in lifted position. I

, 11. In a sheet-feeding machine, the comedge of. the pile, of a pair of segments, a shaft on which said segments are fixed, means forrevolving said shaft, a pair of separators, each in' the formof a contact device, gearing from said. separators to said shaft to cause the separators to revolve in the opposit direction from said segments to engage the pile alternately with said segments, a hinged frame upon which said segments and separators are mounted 'to be swung off from the pile, a rest for said hinged frame when in normal position, meansto cause pressure between the pile bination with a pair of clips for the leading andboth said separators and feeders, and

thereon up from the pile, a pair of rolls to which the sheets are fed, means for releas-' ing or separatin said rolls, and means connected to said roll-releasing means for lifting said hinged frame.

I 13. In a sheet-feeder, the combination with a sheet-supporting table, of a pair of parallel-movement linkages, one at each side of the table, said linkages independent of each other, and means for yieldingly supporting the table on said linkages whereby one side of the table may be depressed inde- Whereon said segment and separator are mounted; rolls to which the sheet is advanced' by said segment; and means timed to raise said frame when the sheet. enters the bite of said rolls, to relieve this pressure of said segment on said sheet.

19 In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a pair of clips for the leading edge of the pile, 'of a pair of segments, a shaft. on which said segments are fixed, means'for revolving said shaft,-a pair of separators, each in the form of a contact'device, gearing from said separators to said shaft to cause the separators to revolve in the opposite direction from said segments pendentLy of the other, while the ends of the table must rise or fall together.

14:. In a sheet-feeder, the, combination with a sheet-supporting table, of a pair'of parallel-movement linkages,'one at each side of the table, said linkages independent of each other, whereby one'side of the table.

may be depressed independently of the other, while the ends of the table must rise or fall together, and means for applying spring perssure to the corners of the table.

15. A rotary sheet-feeding or separating arm provided at its tip with a row of deep teeth; and a strip of soft rubber stretched tightly around said armand passing over said teeth, whereby said strip will be forced outward by the teeth, to present to the sheet a row of spaced, rubber-covered, sheet-engaging protuberances or fingers.

16. A rotary paper-feedingarm provided at its tip with a row of deep teeth; and an endless band of yielding friction material stretched tightly around said arm and passing over said teeth, whereby said band will to the sheet a row of sheet-engagingprotuberances or fingers covered with said material, said band being shiftable longitudinally and capable of being turned inside out, to present different portions of its inner and outer surfaces to the paper and to said teeth.

17. A sheet-feeding and stenciling machine comprising a framework, a stencil cylinder, a feeder frame, feeders on said frame connected tosaid stencil cylinder-and movable thereon away from the pile of sheets, an over-size separator to'intermittently engage the pile, and a depressible table for supporting said pile.

\ 18. The combination of a sheet-feeding segment movable alternately into and out of contact with the pile of sheets, during its normal revolution, to advance a sheet from the pile; a separator arranged to engage the pile alternately with said segment;,a frame to engage the pile alternately with said segments, ahinged frame upon which said segments and separators are mounted to be swung off from the pile, rolls to which the sheets are fed, a cam connected to revolve with said shaft, and means to cooperate with/said cam to lift the segments when the advancing sheet reaches the bite of said rolls. z

20. The combination with a table and yielding means to sustain the same, of stationary clips over the table, an oversize separator or separators to .engage the pile on the table and slightly depress the table while withdrawing the top sheet from the clips and a feeder or feeders to grip the sheet from the separator before the separafrom the clips, and means gripping the sheet before the separator releases it to advance the separated sheet.

22. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a table to support a pile of sheets, yielding supports forthe forward and rear ends of the table at each of its sides, and means separate from said supports to cause the table to float on said supports.

J 21 In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a table to support a pile of sheets, springs. for supporting said table at the sides thereof, including two springsfor each end ofthe table, means for adjusting theftension of any spring independently of the others, and means to cause the table to float on said springs. I

24. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a table to sup-port a pile of sheets, springs for supporting said ,tableat the sides thereof, including two springs for each end of the table, means for adjusting .the tension of. any sprin independently of'the others, a

cross hasupporting arms or levers shaft to engage the .table, said springs being I connected to said arms or levers, and means to cause the tableto float on said springs.

-a table to support a pile ofsheets, springs for supporting said table at the sides thereof, including two springs 'for each end of the table, means for adjusting the tension of.

=any spring independently of the others, a

-cross shaft, supporting arms or levers mounted upon said cross shaft and extending forwardly and rearwardly from sald A shaft to engage the table, said arms or levers having angle-arms to which the springs are severally attached, and means. to causethe'ptabletofioat on said sprmgs.

' 1 26.- In a sheet' feeding machine, the com- .gbinat-ion with" -a table, of springs for movs'aid table upwardly, fixed clipsv overlying the table to holdv a sheet on said table which underlies said clips, a deviceonsaid table for holding the opposite end ofsaid she'et, said springs arranged to independently hold the ends of the table against the clips and said device independently, and meansindependent of said springs for hold.-

' ing jthefitwo ,ends of'said table at the same rolls thereon,

'- motion devicefor said table, a spring for' mounted on said frame, a table on said- 'hei" lit. .2 In a sheet-feeding device, the combi- "hatibn -with a frame and carrying-away H of a framework detachable from said framewithout disturbing said rolls, atable on. said framework, a parallel urging said table upwardly, and a clip fixed on said frame and overlying a pile of sheets on said table so that the top of said sheet's' bears a fixed relation to said carrying-away rolls.

128.1 In a sheet-feeding device, the combination With a frame and a carrying-away roll thereon, of a framework detachably framework, a'par'allel motion device for said table, a spring urging said table upwardly, a clip on said frame arranged to overlie a pile of sheets on said table so that the top sheet bears a fixed relation to said carrying- .away roll, a-separatorforreleasing-the top sheet from said clip, and a feeder for advancing a separated sheet to said carrying.

away roll.

29; Ina sheet-feeding device, thejcornbination with a frame and a carrying-away 'roll thereon, mounted thereon, a table on said framework, a spring urging said table upward, a clip on said frame arranged tooverlie a pile "of sheets on-said table, a separator mounted on said frame andheldthereby so as to operate a -constant relation to the .top sheet onsaid pile, and'a feederadvancing the separated sheets to said carrying-awayroll.

30. In a sheet-feeding device, the combi nation withfa frameand a carrying-away 25." In a sheet-feeder, the combination of.

7 oversaid of a framework detachably.

bination with a face and forming a row of roll thereon, of a frameworkdetachably mounted thereon, a table on said frame- Work, a spring urging said table upward,.a clip fixed on said frame arran ed to overlie a pile of sheets on said table, separator mounted on said frame and held thereby so as to operate -in a constant relation to the top sheet on said pile,

a feeder advancing the separated sheets to said carrying-away roll, and means for swinging said separator and feeder clear of the pile of sheets.

31. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a frame, and a roll on the frame to which a sheet is fed, ofa table, springs independently urging the two ends of said table upwardly, a clip on said table arranged to overlie one end of the top sheet pile of sheets thereon, aldesheet from the pile, provided with protuberances at'thepoint whereit engages the sheet,

said (protuberances being arranged in a row which is transverse to the direction of movement of the sheet; anda covering of yielding friction material stretched tightly protuberances and forced outward thereby; i

g 33. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination, with a table for supporting a pile of sheets; of a separator for removing a sheet from the pile, provided with protuberances at the point where itlenga ges the sheet,

' 'saidprotuberances being arranged in a row which is transverse to the direction of movement of the sheet; a covering of yielding friction -material stretched over said protuberances and forced joutward thereby; and a device for feeding the sheets removed by said separator.

341 In a sheet-feeding machine, the com bination with a table adapted toyieldingly support'a pile of sheets, of-a separator for removing the top sheet from the pile, a face of resilient material on said separator, transversely arranged teeth concealed behind said resilient face,

and compressing the resilient material at a series 9f points on said face, and a resiliently-faced feeding device for removing the sheet loosened by said separator. 4

35. In a sheet-feedir(g machine, the comyieldingly supported table,

of a clip above comprising a resilient face, transversely arranged teeth concealed behind said resilient comparatively hard spots on said face, a feeder for removing a sheet separated by said separator,

said table against which asheet on said table will bear, a separator 'by said springs, and a clip mower r and means for removing away from the table a sheet started by said feeder. 36. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a table, of springs at the ends of said table, a lever on each side of said table extending'from one end thereof to a fixed point at the opposite end of said table, a corresponding lever at the opposite end of the table, a floating-shaft common to all said levers to which they are pivoted so that said levers form a parallel motion device for each side of said table, and means connected to said springs for pressing said table upward at each side thereof. I 37. In a sheet-feeding machine, the com bination with a table, of springs for independently pressing, the two ends of said table upwardly, means for holding the table parallel to itself lengthwise as it is moved sheet on the table will bear.

38. In a sheet-feeding machine, the com bination with a table, of a tension-spring for supporting one end of said table, an

elbow lever comprising a longarm supporting said table and extending at a slight springs for separately supportin angle thereto, and a parallel motion device for guiding the table as it is moved by said spring. f

39. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a table and aparallel motion device therefor preventing" an unequal elevation of the two ends of the table, of the ends of said table, and, separately adJ-hstable to independently vary the upward pressure on the two ends of the table.

40. A sheet separator comprising a series of serrations at the point of contact with the sheets, and a .soft rubber friction member tightly drawn over said serrations and com prising a series of comparatively hard spots formed by said serrations.

41, In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination of a swinging frame mounted on rotary separator both mounted on said swinging frame, means for continuously rotating said feeder and separator'in opposite directions, and a stop to hold said frame in position for the feeder and separator to in; termittently engage a pile of sheets supported below the feeder and separator. p

42. In a sheet-f eding machine, the combination, with a clip for the leading edge of the pile of sheets; of a rei olving. feeder to alternately move into and out of contact with the pile; a separator effective when said feeder is out of contact with the pile, for withdrawing the top sheet from the clip and holding it until gripped by the feeder; and a hinged frame upon which said feeder and separator are mounted to be swung 0d from the pile.

43. In a sheet-feeding machine, the comagainst which a bination, with a clip for the leading edge of the pile of sheets; of a revolving feeder to alternately move into and out of contact with the pile; a separator effective when saidfeeder is out of contact with the pile, for withdrawing the top sheet from the clip and holding it until gripped by the feeder; a table; means to lift the table as the pile diminishes; and a hinged frame upon which said feeder and separator are mounted to be swung off from the .pile.

44. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination, with a clip for the leading edge of the pile of sheets; of a revolving feeder to alternately move into and out of contact with the pile; a separator effective when said feeder is out of contact with the pile, for withdrawing the top sheet from the clip and holding it until gripped by the feeder; a shaft to which said feeder is fixed; means for revolving said shaft; gearing from said separator to said shaft, to cause the separator to revolve in the opposite direction from the feeder and hold a sheet until gripped said feeder is out of contact with the pile,

for withdrawing the top sheet from the clip and holding it until gripped by the feeder; a shaft to which said feeder is fixed; means for revolving said shaft; gearing from said separator to said shaft, to cause the separatonto revolve in the opposite direction from the feeder and hold a sheet until gripped by said feeder a gear upon said shaft; a driving gear meshing with the first-namedgear;

and a frame upon which said feeder and said separator are mounted to be swung off from the pile, said frame being hinged concentrically With said driving gear.

46. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination with a clip for the leading edge of the pile of sheets; of-a revolving feeder to alternately move into and out of contact with the pile; a separator effective when said feeder is out of contact with the pile. for Withdrawing the top sheet fromv the clip and holding it until gripped by the feeder; a shaft to which said feeder is fixed; means forrevolving said shaft; gearing from said separator to said shaft, to cause the separator to revolve in the opposite direction from the feeder and hold a sheet until gripped by said feeder; a hinged frame upon which said feeder and separator are mounted to be swung off from the pile;

and means to support said frame in lifted position. I

\ 47. In a sheet-feeding machine, the combination, with a pair of clips for the leading edge of a pile of sheets; of a pair of feedersegments; a shaft whereon said segments are mounted; means for rotating said shaft, to cause said segments to move alternately into and outof contact with the pile during their normal revolution; a pair of separators, each in the form of a contact device, for withdrawing and holding the sheet until gripped by said segments; gearing from said shaft to 'said separators, to cause the latter to revolve in the opposite direction from said segments and to engage the pile alternately therewith; a movable frame whereon said shaft and said separators are mounted; and means for periodically raising said frame bodily, to lift said segments above the pile, independently of their normal revolving movement out of contact with said pile, to relieve the pressure between said segments and the sheet gripped thereby. 48. In asheet-feeding machine, the combination, with a pair of clips for the leading edge of a pile of sheets; of a pair of feeder segments; a shaft whereon said segments are mounted; means for rotating said shaft, to cause said segments to move alternately into and out of contact with the pile duringtheir normal revolution; a pair of separators,'each in the form of a contact device, for withdrawing and holding the sheet until gripped by said segments; gearing from said shaft to said separators, to cause the latter to revolve in the opposite direction from said segments and to engage the pile alternately therewith; and a pivoted frame whereon said shaft and said segments are mounted, movable upwardly to carry said segments and separators clear of said pile.-

- 49. In a stenciling machine, the combination, with a stencil cylinder, and a pressureroll coacting with said cylinder and arranged beneath thesame; of a revolubleelement for feeding sheets to said cylinder; a

movable frame whereon. said element is mounted; and connections between said pres- ;ure-roll and said frame for simultaneously lowering the former and-raising the latter, whereby said pressure-roll and said feeding I element are moved into inoperative position.

50. In a stenciling machine, the combination, with a stencil cylinder, and a pressureroll therefor;-of a sheet-feeder; a movable frame whereon 'said feeder is mounted; a

cam coacting with said roll, for normal holding the same in operative position; a 1

rock-shaft to which said cam is secured; a controlling member for said shaft; and connections between said shaft and said frame for causing the latter to move bodily in unison with the former.

51. In a stenciling machine, the combination, with a stencil cylinder, and a pressureroll therefor; of a sheet-feeder;a cam coacting with said roll, for normally holding the same in operative position; a rock-shaft to which said cam is secured; and connections between said shaft and said feeder for automatically moving the latter bodily into inoperative position when said cam is released from such coaction.

52. In a stenciling machine, the combination, with a stencil cylinder, and a pressurecured to said shaft;a latch arranged to engage said arm,to retain said cam in effective position with relation to said roll; and ,connections between said shaft and said feeder for automatically moving the latter bodily into inoperative position when said latch is released from said arm.

53. In a stenciling machine, the combination, with a stencil cylinder, and a pressure roll therefor; of a sheet-feeder; a movable frame whereon said feeder is'mounted; a device coacting with said roll, for normally holding the same in operative position; and connections between said device and said frame for automatically moving the latter bodily in one direction when the former is released from such coaction, to shift said feeder into inoperative'position.

54. A movable, paper-feeding member comprising a frame or support having deep teeth at the point where it seizes the sheet, said teeth being spaced apart from one another; and a strip of yielding, friction materialstretched ti htly, over said teeth, where- 

